The decision by the mayor and chancellor to open public schools after the heavy snowstorm was not a very smart move.

Even though many streets had been plowed by the Department of Sanitation,who did a very good job, those streets still had layers of ice on them, making them treacherous for school buses and children walking to school.

Many private schools decided to close the night of the storm, yet the mayor made the decision at 11:15 p.m. to open public schools the next day. This also caused great difficulty for thousands of parents because they were not told until the last minute.

The mayor and chancellor need to put safety first for the children, parents, teachers and administrators. There are extra days built into the school calendar for just this type of situation.

When the next big storm hits, students and teachers should just stay home, that will send a message.